1.1. ParticipantsThe administration of the Ethiopian Somali National Regional
State organized a conference, held in the capital city of the region, Jigjiga,
between 10 - 13 March 1996. As indicated by its title, peace and development
were the two major topics deliberated upon during the confrence. This brief
report is prepared by EUE/UNDP anthropologist who attended this 4 day conference.

A total number of 700 persons attended the Jigjiga confence.
The majority of the particpants (460) were delegates representing the 46
districts administered by the regional administration - 10 representatives
came for each district. In addition, 75 delegates representing 15 disputed
districts along blurred border areas between the neighboring Somali and
Oromo autonomous entities also attended the conference. Thus an overwhelming
majority of the participants (535) were from the weredas.

Somali officials working at various levels of the regional
and federal government constituted a large number of the remaining participants
- including members of the regional council and 30 members of the federal
parliament, the minister of transport and communication, Dr.Abdul-Majid
Hussein and the two vice ministers, Shamsudin Ahmed (vice minister of energy
and mining) and Abdurashiid Dullane (vice minister of water resources development).
Non-Somali senior officials also attended the conference. The Deputy Prime
Minister and Defence Minister, Tamirat Layne, inaugurated the conference
with an extensive in-depth analysis of the security issues in the region.
The presence of the Foreign Minister, Seyoum Mesfin, added to weight to
the participation from the federal government and signified the importance
attached to the event. At the closing ceremony Dr. Abdul-Majid apologized
on behalf of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi for not being able to attend,
and read his message which implored Somalis to carry out the agreements
reached in the course of the conference. The presidents of Tigrai and Harari
regional administrations and representatives from Amhara and Southern Nations,
Nationalilties Peoples National Regional State also attended the conference.
They expressed their support and solidarity to the weak administration
of the Ethiopian Somali National Regional State.

Even though a good number of the wereda representatives
were religious leaders, some distinguished Somali spiritual scholars also
attended the conference. Their participation was to enhance Islamic solidarity
among the estranged Muslim Somalis and clarify religious arguments used
by the fundamentalist itixad, in perpetuating violence in the region.

The Ethiopian Somali Democratic League (ESDL), which represents
a coalition of more than a dozen local clans and is headed by Dr. Abdul-Majid
Hussein, as well as representatives of the Ogaden National Liberation Front
(ONLF), participated the congress. A representative of the EPRDF also attended
the conference.

1.2. Characteristics

In contrast to Kabari Dheherre conference of February
1995, women were well represented- for the good reason that they constitute
half of the regional population and for the fact women and children are
often greatly affected by the prevailing instability and ensuing underdevelopment.
Fair representation of women, and other social groups from the districts,
traditional and religious leaders, youth organizations, etc. corroborate
the grassroots nature of the Jigjiga conference. As mentioned in the preceding
section, the Jigjiga conference was conceived, organized and carried out
by the incumbent administration.

The wide participation in the Jigjiga conference could
be considered as a deliberate decision on the part of the present administration.
Several reasons explain this inclination. First, is an apparent lack of
effective communication and interaction between Jigjiga and the weredas.
The initial need to reorganize and reform the administrative structures
at the regional and zonal level, together with the absence of popular mass
media, shortage of communication facilities and essential infrastructure
as well as the large size of the region certainly contributed to limited
interaction between Jigjiga and the districts.

To assure the electorate that the government is trying
to fulfill its mandate and also to ensure public support and cooperation,
the government felt the need to establish a dialogue on crucial issues
affecting the lives of the population in the region - development and peace
- with the representatives from all the weredas.

The first routine meeting of the regional council was
due at time of the conference. This made the political atmosphere in Jigjiga
replete with distracting and confusing propaganda, with ONLF radicals alleging
that the intention of the conference was to replace members of the regional
parliament who oppose the ESDL and the present administration. Many of
these rumors were said to have been propagated by individuals with personal
ambitions for power ambition and who were against the development of a
viable regional government. Thus, the administration thought it imperative
to bypass these individuals, who falsely represent groups in the districts,
and conduct the conference.

The conference served as a successful public relations
exercise for the administration. In addition to the support it enlisted
from the participants, the administration presented progress reports on
the activities by bureaus in the first half of the year and also presented
its plans for further administrative reorganization and reform. As requested
by the participants from the weredas, the administration promised to hold
follow-up grassroots conferences at the zonal and wereda levels. The request
of the participants to make this conference an annual event was also endorsed
by the administration.

Another important feature of conference was that it was
multi-dimensional. Guests from the central government and presidents, or
representatives from other autonomous regions attended the conference,
presumably to witness the changes taking place since the elections in the
middle of last year. Regional artists performed an entertaining and educating
drama featuring the developments that has taken in the region. That the
Somali region is no more a troubled and dangerous place but a reviving
part of the country, seems to have been the underlying message of the drama.

II. MAIN ISSUES: SECURITY, DEVELOPMENT & REGIONAL
ADMINISTRATION

2.1. Security

As reflected in the 7 point resolution (see annex) endorsed
by the conference, three crucial issues: security, administration and development,
attracted the most attention and interest of the conference. During the
transitional period (Mid 1991-mid 1995) governance in the Somali region
not only prove elusive, it was seen as part of the problem contributing
to the low intensity but disruptive conflict blamed on armed Itixad
and ONLF groups. During this period the tendency of administration officials
to give loyalty first to the interest of their kin group rather than the
public interest, further explain the poor record of the weak and unstable
administrations during the transitional period.

The current administration appears determined to tackle
any lingering insecurity posed by the armed Itixad or ONLF factions.
In this regard the participation of senior ONLF delegation headed by chairman,
Bashir Abdi, signals positive sign of a possible end to instability. The
chairmen of the two main political organizations, ESDL and ONLF, disclosed
an on-going dialogue between them to settle their differences, through
negotiation.The change of policy on the part of ONLF and the stated
desire to settle their differences with the governing party, the ESDL,
through negotiation and dialogue received applause from the participants
of the conference. Public appreciation of this move to possible political
reconciliation between the two important organizations in the region was
further encouraged by the reported advanced stage of the bilateral talks.

The talks are said to based on a six point agenda covering
crucial issues including those addressed in the conference (peace and development),
regional administration, fate of ONLF members in prison, etc. The ONLF
chairman declared that the two sides had agreed to cooperate on matters
concerning peace and development. The ONLF chairman also warned that they
will not tolerate further violence from either the Itixad or radical ONLF
factions, whose externally based leadership had been replaced in the organization’s
conference at Harar prior to the elections in 1995. Bashir pledged that
the ONLF will take an active take part in restoring peace and stability
to region by using all means necessary, including fighting against armed
elements who refuse to renounce violence.

In a televised discussion between the secretary of the
ESDL and the chairman of the ONLF, the latter stated that their differences
on most issues on the agenda had been narrowed down to a manageable level,
thus predicting a successful and rather quick accord. Nevertheless, he
stated that agreement on sharing power between the two organizations in
governing the Somali federal unit is far from being resolved. Here the
contentious issue relates to the proportional representation of parties
in the regional council.

Although there are about 20 ONLF members in the regional
council, only one of of them holds a seat in the executive council. Allocation
of additional seats may be undertaken if it could deliver the desired goal-
an end to violence and peaceful participation in the affairs of the region.
If other matters are successfully resolved and there are encouraging signs
towards this end, Dr. Abdul-Majid affirmed the possibility of integrating
ONLF to the regional administration.

Accommodation of ONLF in the regional politics and its
participation in the administration is crucial to the process of restoring
peace and stability. The other destabilizing force, Itixad, lacks
a social constituency in the region. With access to funds received from
fundamentalist groups based abroad, the supporters of militias of Itixad
are mostly individuals belonging to different clans. Because of the significance
of clan based social organization in matters relating to security, Itixad
or any other guerrilla group cannot operate anywhere in the region
without the approval of the clan or clans controlling the area of operation.

Just before the conference, Itixad initiated raids
to areas in Jigjiga zone controlled by the Abiskuul clan (Jidwaq - Abiskuul,
Bartire and Yeberre), apparently in collaboration with disaffected members
of this clan. Established local security forces cleared Itixad infilterators
from Jigjiga zone. Dr. Abdul-Majid reported that the defeated remnants
of the Itixad militia had sought refuge in disputed border areas
between the Somali and Oromo regions, which act as hideout for the Itixad
and Ormo fundmentalist rebel groups.

As reported by Dr. Abdul-Majid, a settlement and durable
solution will soon be reached on the governance of the weredas claimed
by both Somali and Oromo regions. This will deny the fundamentalist militias
in both states a base from which launch their violence. Possible reconciliation
and accommodation of the ONLF most probably will further marginalize the
Itixad in the region.2.2. Governance

Progress has been achieved by the present administration
putting in place the foundations for a viable administration. Nevertheless,
as admitted by the president of the regional administration, ‘ciid Daahir,
a great deal still needs to be done. First, the number of bureaus have
been reduced from a total of 24 in the previous administration to about
12. Related bureaus were grouped under sectors headed by members of the
executive committee of the regional council.

The executive committee of the regional council finalized,
just before the conference, 37 new directors to head the departments of
the government authorities. Without totally disregarding membership of
a kin group to ensure fair representation, qualification and experience
primarily determined the appointment of the new directors. Thus the administration
managed to install a reorganized working administration at the highest
level. At the zonal level, able members of the executive council have been
assigned as heads of the zonal offices. Hence efficiency has also been
imparted in running the administration at the zonal level. Unfortunately,
at the wereda level, there is still a need to develop a working and truly
effective administration.

To curtail corruption and graft and misuse of public resource,
the administration has arrested many corrupt officials. For example, recently
the heads of the zonal offices in Dhagah Bur, War Dheer and Kabri Dheherre
all lost their positions, allegedly for inefficiency and malpractice.

Heads of bureaus (planning, water, education, agriculture
and SERP) presented their activities during this administration’s first
six month tenure and their five year plans. This appears to have underlined
the administration’s seriousness in accountability and openness in the
public domain. This certainly achieved the intended goal by inspiring and
assuring the confidence of participants from the isolated weredas.

The audience was given the floor to respond to the activity
reports of the bureau heads. This produced the most dramatic event in the
conference- the immediate dismissal of the head of the health bureau. A
lady from Cheriti village, Afdheer zone, refuted a report claiming that
the health bureau had staffed and provided supplies for a clinic. Not able
to explain the circumstance, the bureau chief was dismissed.2.3 Development

The link between development and security represented
the common factor that permeated the six month activity reports by the
bureau heads of the administration. The message here was that the bureaus
now have the funds, the will, able staff and the other requirements to
carry out development work in the rural and urban areas of the region.
However, they commonly complained about prevailing man-made constraints,
such lack of cooperation from the beneficiaries, opportunistic banditry
and general insecurity, quite apart from the logistic and infrastructure
limitations of this vast underdeveloped region. For example, the head of
the water bureau reported that it takes more than one month to move equipment
for construction and rehabilitation of wells to Kallafo and other peripheral
districts in region. Government vehicles travel in convoys for security
reasons.

The participants from the weredas wondered if the bureau
heads were not using the security issue as an scapegoat and smoke-screen
for not carrying out work in isolated areas of the region. Delegates from
remote areas suggested that the bureau heads must stop the tendency to
stay in the regional capital with its attendant benefits and start visiting
and working in austere areas. SERP was cited as an example of excellence
in working in difficult areas by many of the participants. SERP, which
lost 9 members of its field staff and many vehicles since the change of
government in 1991, manages to implement programmes in its project area.
Hence, it was suggested that there is no reason for the bureaus not following
the example of SERP by working in most of the rural areas. Some participants
from secure and stable areas also expressed disappointment with lack of
development activities in their areas.

The administration on its part promised to establish and
maintain a working relationship with rural populace, while the participants
pledged to ensure safety and stable environment for carrying out development
activities in their respective areas of origin.

Despite the formidable problems faced by the present administration,
there are encouraging signs of improved economic performance by government
authorities. According to the head of the Bureau for planning and economic
development, 35% of the annual development budget allocated to fund 79
projects has been utilized. Although most of the budget in the fiscal year
has been allocated to fund incomplete projects carried over from previous
administrations, the performance of the current administration so far is
better than that of their predecessors (see Table 1)

In his capacity as Minister of Transportation and Communication
Dr. Abdul-Majid, the chairman of the governing ESDL party, disclosed his
ministry’s plan to install a network of telephone lines to various parts
of this peripheral region, including Jigjiga, Dhagah Bur, Xarshin, Gaashaamo,
Gallaadin, Wardher, Kabri Dhaharre, and others. The installation of the
network would be completed within period of 4-14 months. Dr. Abdul-Majid
also made public plans for the construction of new airports and immediate
flights of Ethiopian Airlines to important towns in the region, such Jigjiga
and Kabri Dhahar.

To conclude, the regional adminstration succeeded in achieving
most of the intended goals of this remarkably successful conference. First,
the administration provided the impetus for wider participation in the
affairs of this underdeveloped region. Second, it secured the necessary
consensus and cooperation of the public on critical issues (peace and developement),
which are still affecting the development of good governance in this previously
unstable region.

The administration’s underlying objective of putting behind
itself the inauspicious record during the transition period (1991-1995)
warrants the encouragement and support of the federal government, donors
and international community. However, this optimistic view will certainly
not be confirmed until the conclusion of the negotiations between the ESDL
and ONLF.

III. ANNEXES

1. General conclusions

1. Declaring our strong opposition to the opponents of
peace and development and with due respect to the popular desire of the
people for peace and stability, we call on the destructive armed factions
to lay down their weapons and live in peace and their kinspeople in the
region.

2. Misuse of clan tendency in general and in the administration
in particular is anathema to unity and cooperation, effective governance
and development of our region. Therefore, we must strive to abolish misuse
of "clannism" in order to restore the dignity of our nation and nationality
undermined by instability during the transitional period.

3. Women comprise more than half of the population in
the region, therefore it is imperative that they take an active part in
the promotion of peace and development. In collaboration with the administration
of the Ethiopian Somali National Regional State, we suggest relevant assistance
be given to women so as to able to fully participate in the process of
peace and development.

4. Our region is typical of the peripheral parts of the
country, neglected by past dynastic and dictatorial military regimes. It
inherited dismal infrastructure and amenities that are essential for development.
Since it is beyond the capacity of the present administration to solve
the formidable constraints on its own, we pledge to actively participate
in peace and development by volunteering with our muscles, brain and material.

5. To establish a viable regional administration we are
quite willing to participate relentlessly in the continuing task of reforming
and reorganizing the present administration.

6. We strongly urge the administration to launch an investigation
on economic crimes perpetuated by public officials at all levels of the
administration by allegedly using public offices for personal ends, and
persecute those individuals found guilty.

7. In order to redistribute the current work force, some
of whom were appointed in terms of clan-bias and to ensure adequate and
appropriate staffing of the government authorities, we urge the administration
to install as soon as possible a recruitment policy that is harmonious
with employment laws of the federal government and free from clan consideration-
according to merit, technical and professional skills.

The designations employed and the presentation
of material in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion
whatsoever of the UN concerning the legal status of any country, territory,
city or area of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its
frontiers or boundaries.